Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise for Patients Undergoing Arthrodesis Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Diaphragmatic Breathing Exercise for Patients Undergoing Arthrodesis Surgery for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Effectiveness of Postoperative Respiratory Physiotherapy for Pain Management in Patients Undergoing Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: a Randomized Controlled Study

After spinal surgery, diaphragmatic breathing exercise can be a low-cost and extremely safe intervention that can be introduced for pain management. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing exercise in the management of pain in the postoperative care in patients undergoing spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a common orthopedic condition with a prevalence of 2-3% in children aged from 10 to 16 years. It is a developmental deformity that affects both physical and psychological domains, interfering with self-esteem and mental well-being. Diagnosis is made within the first 18 years of life; in some cases, instrumented arthrodesis surgery is required, performed within the age of 25. Corrective surgery for scoliosis can be a stressful intervention for patients and their caregivers. Postoperative pain is the major concern for patients undergoing orthopedic surgery. Significant postoperative pain also adversely affects other outcomes by hindering the healing process and delaying rehabilitation with loss of movement and walking. After arthrodesis the pain reported by the patients is significant. Various strategies have been explored for acute pain management in patients undergoing surgery for scoliosis, with a focus on the first days post surgery. The link between breathing, lumbar spine function and pain perception is an aspect that has always been studied. The diaphragm plays an important role in spinal control and in the management of pain perception. Dysfunction of the diaphragm can lead to alterations in the biomechanics of the lumbar spine, with less proprioceptive abilities, less spinal mobility and reduced the spinal column's functionality of the tissues. Diaphragmatic rehabilitation techniques produce significant and clinically relevant improvements in the treatment of pathologies of the spine and especially in the management of painful symptoms. A systematic review highlights how pain is able to influence the flow, frequency and volume of the respiratory act. At the same time, a regulation of breathing can be an useful tool in the control of painful symptoms. After spinal surgery, diaphragmatic breathing exercise can be a low-cost and extremely safe tool that can be introduced for the control of painful symptoms. The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of diaphragmatic breathing exercise in the management of pain in the postoperative phase in patients undergoing arthrodesis surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

spinal fusion, early rehabilitation, diaphragmatic breathing exercise, Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Patients aged from 12 to 24 years hospitalized for corrective arthrodesis surgery with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) diagnosis.

Patients aged from 12 to 24 years hospitalized for corrective arthrodesis surgery with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) diagnosis.

The standard postoperative rehabilitation process starts from the first postoperative day. Two sessions are provided daily, with the exception of Sunday and Saturday afternoon. A single physiotherapy session, lasting 30 minutes, can include bed exercises for upper and lower limbs and recovery of autonomy (sitting position, standing and ambulation). In this phase, the sessions are characterized by educational and counseling activities. The patient will be encouraged to carry out the activities independently.

The subjects in the intervention group (EXP) will receive, in addition to standard physiotherapy treatment, diaphragmatic breathing exercise. Four exercises in different position (supine and side lying) will be provided for each physiotherapy session by a senior physiotherapist. Patients will be instructed to perform the same exercises independently to achieve relaxation and relief of pain symptoms.

numeric rating scale (NRS) (from 0 to 10); The 11-point numerical scale ranges from "0" representing one pain extreme (eg "No pain") to "10" representing the other pain extreme (eg "More severe pain than you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable").

The pain will be detected 3 times a day (8am/2 pm/8 pm) starting from the day of the first rehabilitation treatment until the fifth postoperative day.

numeric rating scale (NRS) (from 0 to 10); The 11-point numerical scale ranges from "0" representing one pain extreme (eg "No pain") to "10" representing the other pain extreme (eg "More severe pain than you can imagine" or "worst pain imaginable").

the values of the NRS scale will be detected before and after the rehabilitation treatment up to fifth day

Timed up and go is a simple test to measure a person's mobility level and requires static and dynamic balancing skills. It consists of measuring how many seconds it takes the patient to get up from the chair, walk a distance of 3 meters, turn around, return to the chair and sit down again.

Inclusion Criteria: All subjects hospitalized for corrective arthrodesis surgery with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) diagnosis, aged from 12 and 24 years will be consecutively enrolled. Exclusion Criteria: Subjects who cannot understand the Italian language and who do not provide consent to study will be excluded.

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